Washboard attachment



Nov. 29, 1927. 1,650,696

c. A. DEES WASHBOARD ATTACHMENT Filed March 14. 1925 c'mmzrailksls,

Ian warren,

Ara-mama Patented Nov. 2%, 1927.

httdttt cnnnLEs A. inside, or PITTSBURGH, rnnnsynvnitia.

wasnnoann ATTACHMENT.

Application filed March 14:, 1925. serial us. 15,429

The present invention relates to washboard attachments, of the type whlch have a spring support, which exerts a blndmg force against the side wall of the; tub on t which it is used, and also in con]unct1on with the legs of the washboard forms a means of securely holding the washboard in operative position when same is in use. 7

The washboard attachment herein de- 1 scribed is adapted to be attached to one side of the wash tub, usually on the same side on which the wringer for drying the clothes is attached, and when. the washboard 1S placed in a vertical position, the wringer may be attached to, or removed from the tub without any inconvenience.

By the use of a spring member, with a pair of outwardly turned feet formed thereon, which in like manner have a resilient tendency to engage complementary holes in the feet of the washboard, the use of screws or other devices to attach the washboard attachment to the side wall of the tub, or to the feet of the washboard, is entirely obviated.

The above advantages, and others, will be more fully explained asthe description proceeds in the specification which follows.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, I haye illustrated a complete example of the best form I have so far devised for the purpose in hand, together with a modification of the method of attache Figure 5, is a third form of pintle used with my invention.

Figure 6. is a front elevation of the washboard attachment.

Tn the drawings 1 indicates a washtub of the usual type, while 2 is a washboard hav- 111g a pair of legs 3 and 4, to which is attached the spring support 5 forming the subject of the present invention. The springsupport it will be seen is preferably formed continuous throughout the various loops,

and turns which it makes, thus simplifying the manufacture of the article, as well as the cost of making it. The spring support 5, has

on its lower extremities theitwo outwardly 7 turned portions or ends 6, 7 which engage resiliently the complementary holes formed in the ends of the legs 3 and i of the Washboard 2. The legs of the spring support said legs 8, 9 engage the legs of the washboard 2, as is readily understood, for the purpose of securing the spring support in In passing it will be noted that position. this last described construction makes the use. of a cross member between the legs of i the spring support 5, at points 12, 13, which 18 sometimes found in structures of thekind in hand, unnecessary, thus eliminating an objectionable obstruction in the tub inthe manipulation of the clothes being Washed therein. In this connection it is noted there is no obstruction in the bottom of the tub, beneath the washboard, as in the case of some devices;

At points 10, 11, the spring support 5 curves inwardly from each sideas seen in Figure 1, and the tWo verticalportions 1%,15 which are preferably parallel to each other are formed, same being returned upon themselves to form the descending portions l6, 17 as shown in the drawings. A horizontallyfclisposed portion 18, joins the parts 16, 17 completing the continuous rod of metal which makes the spring support 5. It will i be noted that the points 12and 13 are opposite each other, or in a straight line as seen in Figure 2, so as to accommodate the holes required for prongs 6, 7 of the spring support 5;,and that the points l0, 11, are oppo siteeach othergbut so positioned that they accommodate the rotundity' of the washtub loo 1. The same is true of the points 19, 20,

and 21, 22; they areopposite eachother but permit of being mounted on the circular shaped tub to which they are applied; and it is further evident that the portion 18 of support 5 is also a curved and not a straight portion same being shaped to fit the outside periphery of the washtub. There is also a vertically outward flare made on the bottom of 16, 17 as shown in Figure 2, at point 23, so that the spring support 5 is readily and conveniently put onvthe tub rim 24.

With reference to the means used to attach the legs 8, 9 to the feet of the washboard at points 12, 13, I have shown three structural forms in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, each of which have some advantages. In Figure 3, I have shown a prong 38 which is provided with a bossed shoulder 25, and prevents the adherence of the legs 8 and 9 to the legs 3, 4 respectively of the washboard 2, same giving ease of manipulation of the spring support. In the Figure 4, is shown a method of attachment in which a wood, or other screw 26 is used, preferably with a countersunk head 27 as shown. The lower extremity 28 of the leg 8 in this case is somewhat flattened at 29 as shown to provide a more suitable surface for countersinking as is readily understood. In the Figure 5 of the drawing is shown a form of attachment in which the leg 8 is simply bent at right angles to form the prong 30. The last example provides a very mexpensive prong, which is not as desirable from an ease of manipulation standpoint, but may be used in some instances. It will be seen from Figure 2, that when the washboard. 2 is placed vertically alongside the mu 31 of the tub that the end 33 produces no tension in the legs of spring support 5, and that while in this position, the board 2 is out of the way of the person removing clothes from the tub. It is seen also that the absence of a cross-bar between the legs of the spring support at points 12 and 13 is a distinct advantage in the present type of washboard attachment. The wringer may be attached to the side 31 of the tub when the washboard 2 is in the position 34 of Figure 2, which is the most desirable position for said wringer when it is considered that in practical use the clothes are first rubbed on the washboard, and then passed through the wringer. This advantage isdue to the nature of the present attachment, i. e. samebeing a comparatively small round piece of 'metal, and also due to the fact that the verticals, 14, 15 are placed in comparaftively close relation to each other, thus permitting the wringer to be attached conveniently to the side wall'of the tub.

It will now be seen that as soon as the board 2, is placed in position 34. of Figure 2 of the drawings, that a tension is placed on the vertical portions 8 and 9 of the spring support 5, and the end 33 becomes wedged in the corner of the tub as shown, and the vertical members Sand 9 tend to hold the washboard firmly against the bottom corner of the tub.

This last described feature of my invention is a very important one in that the spring support 5 being held by the wall of the tub, and the lower ends of members 8 and 9 being forced inwardly as seen in Figure 2 by the portion of the washboard legs indicated by part 33, it is readily seen that the-spring tendency of the legs 8 and 9, lockingly hold the parts 33, 33 against the lower corner of the washtub 1,-as long as the upper end 36 is against the top edge of the tab at point 35. It is also noted that itis not necessary to exert pressure downwardly on the top 36 of the washboard, as the corners of the legs 8, 9 wedge themselves against the wall 31, and the bottom 37 of the tub, as soon as the board 2 reaches the position in Figure 2.

I claim:

1. In a washboard attachment device, a washboard having a pair of legs, a spring support having resilient members adapted to lockingly grip over the side wall of a tub, a pair of resilient legs on the spring support engaging the lower ends of the washboard legs, and adapted to lockingly hold said lower ends against the side wall and bottom of the tub, when the washboard is in a depressed position with its upper end placed against the opposite side wall of the tub.

2. In a washboard device, a washboard having a pair of legs, a spring support having resilient members adapted to grip over the side wall of a tub, a pair of resilient legs on the spring support engaging the lower ends of the washboard legs, and adapted to lockingly hold same against the side Wall and bottom of the tub, when the washboard is in a depressed position with its upper end placed against the opposite side wall of the tub, and a pair of outwardl extending prongs on the legs of the spring support adapted to yieldingly engage the legs of the washboard.

3. In a washboard attachment, a spring support having a pair of inner vertical members, in comparatively close relation to each other, a pair of outer vertical members connected to the inner vertical members, and having an outward flare at their lower extremities, a horizontal member joining the ends of the outer'vertica'l members, and a pair of offset resilient extensions formed on the inner vertical members, having a greater width between them than the latter,

'for engaging theilower extremities of the legs of a washboard.

4. In a washboard attachment, a washboard having a pair of legs, a spring support having a pair of inner and outer vertical members connected to each other, adapted to resiliently grip the side wall of a tub, a horizontal member curved to fit the horizontal curvature of. the tub Wall, joining the ends of the outer vertical members, a pair of resilient legs on the spring support forming extensions to the inner vertical members, and adapted to pressingly hold the Washboard legs against the side wall and bottom of the tub when the Washhoard is in a depressed position with its upper end placed against the opposite side Wall of the tub, and means on the legs of the spring 1 support adapted to engage the legs of the washboard.

In testimony whereof I-affix my signature.

CHARLES A. DEES. 

